Cremation in Thailand
Have you had a family member or close friend die in Thailand recently? If so, there are a few main options for dealing with the body of the deceased, which we already discussed in our page on this. To summarise, the body can be cremated here in Thailand, the body can be buried here in Thailand, or the body or the ashes can be sent back or repatriated to the home country of the relative who died, or the ashes can be spread in Thailand at a peaceful location such as the ocean or large river. Thailand Family Law Partners (TFL) can assist with all of these options, but the one we will focus on for this information page is the cremation.
Cremation is by far the most commonly found method in Thailand. Not only do Thai people get cremated, but around 80-90% of the foreign clients we represent choose cremation. Cremation follows the local culture here, and the infrastructure for cremation is already quite well-established in Thailand. This makes for a faster, easier ceremony and funeral for your loved one. Usually, we can schedule a cremation within a matter of days, as long as all of the paperwork is in order.
Cremation takes place at special Buddhist temples around Thailand. We have excellent relationships with the best temples in Thailand, and can offer a wide range of temple options for your relative’s funeral. Some of our clients will have us schedule and attend the funeral. In other cases, we have arranged large cremation ceremonies for over 500 guests attending. Thailand Family Law Partners (TFL) is flexible and can provide a service for your needs, whether it is the cheapest and easiest option available, or if it is to be a grand ceremony for many people attending.
Since cremation is not as common in foreign countries, we have provided some additional information below in the form of a question and answer or frequently asked questions format. In addition, we have provided a sample of options for the casket to be used for the cremation ceremony in Thailand. Please read below and also see photos of a cremation ceremony in Thailand at the end of this page.
A: Yes, we can provide a turnkey solution for all parts of the cremation in Thailand, including transporting the body, casket selection, temple selection, scheduling, and urn selection, and managing the ashes after cremation.
A: Cremation is when the body of someone who has died is prepared, placed in a casket, brought to a proper temple, and the body is then incinerated, living behind the ashes of the person who died.
A: TFL has relationships with the best temples around Thailand, including in Bangkok, Pattaya/Chonburi, Phuket, Koh Samui, Chiang Mai, Udon Thai, Hua Hin, and many other locations around Thailand.
A: No, not all temples have the equipment necessary for a cremation. Contact TFL for some choices of temples.
A: No, not all temples, even if they can support cremation, will accept foreigners for cremation. However, do not worry. We can provide a list of options for you and also help you choose one.
A: TFL can provide a casket for the cremation or burial of your loved one. We have included some choices below, but please contact us for further details.
A: We can help you select the right temple for the occasion and make the booking.
A: Our team has an inventory of urns to choose from, so you do not need to worry about finding an urn in Thailand.
A: Yes, if you would prefer for your relative’s ashes to be spread in Thailand, we can also provide this service. We can arrange for a convenient spreading of the ashes at a major river way in Bangkok or provide this service at the sea in Pattaya / Chonburi, Phuket, Hua Hin or other coastal location.
A: Yes, over the past 30 years, we have gained the knowledge, experience, and relationships needed to have a successful cremation ceremony in Thailand. Please contact us if you have any questions about cremations or funerals in Thailand.
If you would like to see a selection of caskets and urns to be used in the cremation funeral, please contact us at info@thailandfamilylaw.com We have included two samples here.
